CNN was among the first global media teams which arrived in the Philippines to cover the destruction left behind by super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). Many Filipinos recognized the extensive reporting made by CNN during and after the storm hit the central part of the country.

Wow! @CNN has great coverage of the Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda than local news. I wasn't worried till I switched the channel to CNN! :(

Anderson cited the complaints of survivors about the slow delivery of relief and other forms of assistance from the government. Filipino journalist Gel Santos Relos believes Anderson was objective in his reporting:

I personally think Anderson and the reporters and experts have been objective in the way they have covered the situation in Leyte — pointing out the intensity and magnitude of Yolanda, the effect of storm Zoraida on relief operations, the challenges brought about by geography, etc.

CNN is not there to “demolish” the image of the Philippines. They are in fact helping our kababayans by reporting things as they see them, so the international community can respond accordingly.

But her colleague and media personality Korina Sanchez disagreed. She reportedly criticized Anderson in her radio show:

This Anderson Cooper, he said there is no government presence in Tacloban. It seems he doesn’t know what he is saying.

Many reacted strongly against Korina and accused her of being comfortable in a Manila office in contrast to the ground reporting of Anderson. The following day, Korina travelled to Ormoc City (another badly hit town of Leyte province) where she reported about the situation of typhoon victims.

Apparently, Anderson heard about the criticism of Korina. He defended the accuracy of his report and invited Korina to go to Tacloban:

Ms Sanchez is welcome to go there and I would urge her to go there. I don’t know if she has but her husband’s the Interior minister. I’m sure he can arrange a flight

Anderson was correct when he pointed out that Korina is the wife of Mar Roxas, the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and head of the ruling Liberal Party. Netizen reactions were mostly in favor of Anderson.

Meanwhile, Yasmin Arquiza cautions the public not to immediately accept reports made by ‘parachute journalists’:

The problem in reporting a disaster of this magnitude, stretching across a string of islands hundreds of kilometers apart from east to west, is that the stories often resemble the tale of the six blind men and the elephant – depending on who's touching which part of the animal, you'll get a different description each time. Most of the images have been distressing, and it's often hard to tell if the reports from parachute journalists – we haven't seen this many since the days of coup d'etats in these parts – are mostly anecdotal or very much reflective of the reality in the field, given the tendency of foreign correspondents to generalize situations at times.

Anderson Cooper's coverage of the haiyan disaster in tacloban is a good example of parachute journalism and scaremongering.

Without CNN Anderson Cooper's criticism of relief operation, Korina Sanchez would have not gone to Tacloban; without the victims complaining themselves, the government would have continued its failed response, without the vigilance and criticism against government bureaucracy the relief good would have been hijacked and used for political purposes.

Ayee Macaraig writes about the mixed reactions in the Philippines about the CNN coverage of the disaster:

CNN’s coverage of the typhoon has divided Filipinos on social media, with some praising the network for its extensive coverage and for calling out the Philippine government over the slow relief efforts. Others though criticized CNN for “parachute journalism” and for resorting to blaming the government instead of understanding the logistical problems involved.

Interestingly, there was a popular meme about the praise made by CNN about the ‘resiliency’ of Filipinos in the wake of the tragedy caused by Haiyan. But the ‘praise’ was actually a comment in a CNN article about the disaster.

A ‘CNN comment’ which went viral in the Philippines. Image from Filipino FreeThinkers website

I believe that the reason why this “edited CNN photo” went viral was because, we Filipinos want to somehow alleviate the sufferings of our typhoon-and-earthquake-stricken countrymen, by sharing some encouragement.

But CNN did praise the Filipinos when Anderson left this message in his report yesterday:

They’re bowed perhaps, tired and traumatized, but they are not broken. Mabuhay Philippines, maraming salamat (thank you very much) for all you’ve shown us. Maraming salamat for showing us all how to live

As expected, Filipinos appreciated this remark

Because of the accurate report of Anderson Cooper, we filipinos were awakened of the real situation w/o bias. Thanks @CNN & @andersoncooper

7 comments

carcaranon

Nope, I did not like Anderson Cooper’s catastrophizing what already was a major catastrophe. It was highly sensationalized and editorialized. That CNN and Anderson Cooper saw the need to respond to criticisms, not necessarily from the Philippine Government nor to Korina Sanchez (who are they anyway), but from other more lucid critics who cautioned journalists from sensationalizing the news – count in TIME and the United Nations, meant that the kind of reporting they did bordered on the hysterical. Not much difference from FOX News which is the kind of news middle America prefers. And for Filipinos in the country who think Anderson Cooper gave better coverage of the news on Yolanda, you only have to look at local news agencies more valiant reporting like GMA and ABS-CBN.

Nope, I did not like Anderson Cooper’s catastrophizing what already was a major catastrophe. It was highly sensationalized and editorialized. That CNN and Anderson Cooper saw the need to respond to criticisms, not necessarily from the Philippine Government nor to Korina Sanchez (who are they anyway), but from other more lucid critics who cautioned journalists from sensationalizing the news – count in TIME and the United Nations, meant that the kind of reporting they did bordered on the hysterical. Not much difference from FOX News which is the kind of news middle America prefers. And for Filipinos in the country who think Anderson Cooper gave better coverage of the news on Yolanda, you only have to look at local news agencies more valiant reporting like GMA and ABS-CBN.

CNN has reported what they have seen in the Philippines.its very good what they have done.CORINA SANCHEZ pls SHUT YOUR MOUTH. you are the one who does not know whats coming out in your mouth.Dont defend your husband MANUEL ROXAS.im from roxas city and i have the right to say this because i belonged to those people who installed your husband in power.i was one of the young people who demonstrated in the people power revolution.i had risked my young life in that time because i wanted a free country in the time of marcos.i thought my work is finished and i migrated to Germany but now i realized that my work will be continued.The Roxas Clan has done nothing to Roxas City and the whole Capiz.Roxas City was better before the Roxas Clan enters Capiz politics.I challenge you Corina Sachez, i am more intelligent than you and i know life more than you so pls SHUT UP.

For once CNN actually reported what was happening on the ground, at that moment, the reaction of those that made it past the horrific event. If KC wanted to dispute the accounts as was happening, she should have planted herself on site to debunk. Isn’t that what journalists do, to report the facts as it happens? Has anyone wondered why so many reacted to KS disagreement with AC? I sure didn’t wonder. Her affiliation with the government is very close and personal. It is no surprise when she tried to make one loose credibility by spewing arguments in defense of the government.

I can say it with great confidence that the people will see things in a different perspective. Hopefully they realize that they only have themselves to depend on. When it comes to their survival, for their children’s future, they need to change. Generation of corruption, and apathy towards the common Filipinos has reduced many to accept this type of values as the norm. I’ve seen it first hand, and it is a sad thing.